The Framework of SLA

Timeline Linguistics Psychological Social

1950s and before Structuralism Behaviorism Sociocultural
1960s Transformational Neourolinguistics Ethnography of
Generative information communication
Grammar processing variation theory

1970s Functionalism Humanistics model Aculturation theory

Accomodation
theory
1980s Principles and connectionism Social psychology
Paramater Model
1990s Minimalis t processability
program
 Linguistics
• Internal and external
Internal focus : linguistics comptence
Tranformative Generative Grammar (1957,1965)=
children have innate capacities which is
biologically endowed
Principle and parameter model: Specification of
Innate Capacity more abstract
Minimalist program: distinction of lexical and
function
 External focus
• Functionalism: system of communication
Psychological:
Language and the brain=neorolinguistics=critical
period
Learning processes= Information
procesess=learning langugae is complex
skill=process ability-sequencing in learning
language=connectionism-association between
stimulli and response
 Learner differences
• Humanistics=social= variation theory and
accomodation theory
• Microsocial focus: relates language aquisition
and use of social context: production,
interpretation and interaction

• Macrosocial focus: relates language acquisition

and ecological context: cultural, political and
educational setting